While Packaging Innovations has always done what it says on the tin, over the past few years it could be argued that, while still visible, some of the innovative tech and applications on show at the event have been overshadowed by the ongoing debate about plastic – a debate that too often writes plastic packaging off as irredeemable.

With Drupa now just three months away from opening its doors – assuming it’s not subject to coronavirus-related postponement or cancellation – it’s safe to assume that many of the major manufacturers are gearing up to premiere new machines and technology imminently.

‘When China sneezes the world catches a cold’. It’s abundantly clear that the global spread of coronavirus COVID19 is already affecting the day-to-day lives of plenty of people in the UK, and it looks like the impact is only going to increase in the near-term – the government was poised to move to the ‘delay’ stage of tackling the virus as this issue of Printweek went to press.

Last month’s EFI user conference in Las Vegas may have marked a number of debuts, most notably the inaugural Connect for its new private equity owners, new CEO and new CTO, but the overarching message was a very familiar one.